WEBSTER BANK ARENA -- If you covered your eyes and randomly pointed to one of the five Fairfield University men's basketball starters, you would unquestionably select someone who played a role in this afternoon's 57-43 win over Saint Peter's University. 

Offensively, Tyler Nelson would be your choice as the freshman tallied a career-high 26 points including 19 in the second half. Defensively, Coleman Johnson picked up seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Mike Kirkland netted 15 points including the first four of the second half that turned a one-point halftime lead into a more comfortable five-point edge. Marcus Gilbert tallied 11 points and secured seven rebounds and drew most of the Peacocks' defensive attention. And Steve Johnston, the team's lone senior, provided an all-around effort with two assists, a steal and a couple of points not to mention the emotion appeal of senior day to the cause.

But Nelson's 26 points will most likely jump out to most fans when they see the box score. And it's that kind of play that has gained the attention of other teams over the last few weeks.

“Tyler has been an outstanding kid and plays the game the right way,” Head Coach Sydney Johnson said after the game. “He's growing up and getting better and better each game. He's just a really good player that can make things happen.”

While the first half was touch and go for most of the 20 minutes, Fairfield and Saint Peter's stayed within a possession or two of each other throughout the half. The first half featured 10 lead changes, the last of which put Fairfield in front 27-26 at intermission courtesy of a Nelson three-point shot. That basket capped a 7-0 Stags run to erase a 26-20 deficit with 4:08 left in the half.

Fairfield never trailed in the second half, scoring the first four points after halftime to improve its lead to five points, 31-26, after Mike Kirkland posted a dunk and a jumper in the first three minutes. After Jamel Field made a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two points at 33-31, the Stags scored eight of the next 10 points to take their biggest lead to that point at 41-33 with 10:59 remaining. 

The lead would reach as many as 11 points after Nelson's reverse layup made the score 47-36. Fairfield's lead would reach as many as 17 points late in the half before settling for the 14-point win.

Fairfield held Saint Peter's to just 47 points, the lowest point total by an opponent this season. The Stags did it with strong defense and tough play inside, mainly through the efforts of Coleman Johnson and Malcolm Gilbert. Johnson, who leads the team in blocked shots, rejected three shots while Malcolm Gilbert blocked five shots.

“Both Coleman and Malcolm have the ability to change a game defensively,” Johnson said. “Both played a lot of minutes today and that helped us out defensively.”

Kirkland finished the game with 15 points while Marcus Gilbert added 11 points for the Stags. Desi Washington was the only Saint Peter's player in double figures, hitting a three pointer on the team's final possession to make it to 10 points.